The name Alan is of Celtic origin and was introduced to the English by the Breton followers of William the Conqueror. The exact meaning of the name is not entirely known although "rock" seems to be the most probable. There are many variations of this name
Angus is the anglicized form of the Scottish and Irish Gaelic name Aonghus. It is both a first name and surname.
Arthur is a name that probably dates back as far as pre-Roman times in Britain. It is possibly derived from the Celtic "artos" (bear), the Irish Gaelic "art" (stone), or the Welsh term "arth gwyr," or "bear man." Its modern form may be based partly on t
Brendan is an Irish saint whose travels are narrated in the immram "The Voyage of St. Brendan".
Respelling of Brendan.
Respelling of Brendan.
Brice probably comes from the Gaulish adjective "brictio", meaning "spotted, dappled", and which gave "brizh" in modern Breton.
The name might have been originally attributed to boys who were born with freckles.
[breess] is
Callum was the 13th most popular boy's name in the UK in 2006, but is extremely rare in the US.
The surname of a Scottish clan now also used as a first name. The meaning is unsure, but the name is often taken to be derived from 'cam' (crooked) and 'beul' (mouth).
At first a placename based on the Celtic name of a nearby river it later made the transfer to surname and finally in the twentieth century to given name.
First used in Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe." Possibly derived from a celtic word meaning "first choice."
Cedric the Entertainer is an American comedian, and Cedric Diggory is a character in the Harry Potter series. The Nissan Cedric is a lu
A river in Scotland. The Gaelic name is Cluaidh.
It may mean "warm" as in Welsh clyd, "snug", or perhaps it has the more appropriate meaning of "powerful enough to be heard from a distance".
An anglicised form of one of the Gaelic surnames 'Ó Cuidighthigh' (descendant of Cuidighthigh - originally a byname for a helpful person) or 'Mac Óda' (son of Óda).
Cohen is either a Jewish surname from the Hebrew 'kohen' (priest) or an anglicised Irish surname from 'Ó Cadhan' (descendant of Cadhan).
Cohen is not a personal name in Hebrew. In the Jewish faith, a kohen is assumed to be a direct male de
Coleman is a name and (more commonly) a surname with several different origins. As both an Irish and an English surname it is derived through Old Irish from the Latin 'columba' ('dove'). It can also be an anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Clumhá
Colin may also have originated as a nickname for Nicholas. Famous bearers include former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, golfer Colin Montgomerie and actors Colin Baker, Colin Farrell and Colin Firth.
The name is particularly popular o
Conor is particularly popular in Ireland - it was the 3rd most popular name there in 2006.
A craig or a crag is a rocky hill or mountain. A crag and tail formation is formed when a glacier passes over resilient rock (usually of the igneous kind - granite, for example) which cannot be eroded. The rock is left protruding from the terrain. An exam
Traditional Cornish name slightly anglicized with an additional "e", yet used for centuries.
Famous bearers include American actor Denzel Washington.
Douglas was formerly used as a girl's name in English during the 17th and 18th centuries, but is now considered to be exclusively masculine.
Popular anglicized form of the Irish form of John.
It may also be an anglicized form of Irish Eoghan.
Ervin is a variant of the surname Irvine, which has three separate origins. It can be from one of two places in Scotland, either Irvine or Irving. Both places are named for a Celtic river whose name probably meant 'green water'. It can also be derived fro
Though it has gained some popularity as a female name in the U.S., Finlay is masculine in all other English-speaking regions.
Gannon is predominantly a surname. It is an anglicised form ultimately derived from the Gaelic name Fionnán, which is itself derived from 'fionn' (white, fair).
Gordon is a Scottish clan name, that is now used as a first name. Gordon Brown is the current British Prime Minister.
Flash Gordon was a comic strip, television show and film. Gordon is also the name of the Big Engine in Thomas the Tank Eng
Grant is both a personal name and a surname. It is the surname of 18th President of the United States and Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant.
An Anglicized version of Sheumais, a version of Seumas. It is popular in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
Hugh was a name of several medieval rulers. There were six Dukes of Burgundy named Hugh, four Counts of Angolême, 4 kings of Cyprus and 13 of Lusignan. Several of the Hughs of Lusignan (Lusignan is a town close to Poitiers in France) were also kings of Cy
Ian is a modern Scottish form of the name John. It was not used in Scotland until the late nineteenth century, though it has since become quite popular throughout the English-speaking world.
Irvin is a variant of the surname Irvine, which has three separate origins. It can be from one of two places in Scotland, either Irvine or Irving. Both places are named for a Celtic river whose name probably meant 'green water'. It can also be derived fro
Irving is a variant of the surname Irvine, which has three separate origins. It can be from one of two places in Scotland, either Irvine or Irving. Both places are named for a Celtic river whose name probably meant 'green water'. It can also be derived fr
Kale is an anglicized spelling of the Irish name Cáel. It is also the Hawaiian form of Charles, pronounced "KAH leh." Kale is also the name of a leafy green vegetable, similar to cabbage.
Kelvin is a Scottish name derived from the river Clyde, and Glasgow as an area, Kelvinside, named after it.
The form of the name has probably been influenced by Melvin.
Kendrick might be derived from the Old Welsh Cynwrig, composed of cyn (high, chief) and gwr, wr (hero, man) or wrig (hill, summit).
As a Scottish surname, it is a short form of MacEanraig (son of Henry; son of the home rule).
It may also be
Probably a back-formation from the surname MacKinley.
"Kinley" is an anglicization of Fhionnlaoich (Fionnlaigh/Fionnlagh), a patronymic from the early personal name that was later anglicized as Finley.
It is composed of the elements
This spelling is more commonly used in North America and Australia.
This name is a short form of the Irish name Uilliam (William) which is now use independently as a given name. As a Hebrew name, Liam means "my people; I have a nation".
Famous bearers include 'Oasis' singer Liam Gallagher, former Irish Tao
Gaelic name meaning "follower or devotee of the dove", where the dove is usually St. Columba.
It was a popular name among Scottish nobility, and the first name of black Muslim Minister and Civil Rights leader Malcolm X.
Marvin is generally considered a Medieval variant of Mervyn, resulting from the regular Middle English change of 'er' to 'ar'.
It could also be derived from the Welsh Myrddyn, meaning "sea fort". In this case Marvin is related to Merlin, as
Famous Neils include the first man to walk on the Moon, Neil Armstrong, writers Neil Gaiman and Neil Postman, and singers Neil Diamond and Neil Tennant of the 'Pet Shop Boys'. Neil Kinnock is a British politician, who was leader of the Labour Party in the
It is also used as an anglicisati
Anglicized form of Odhrán, it is derived from Irish odhra meaning 'dark-haired'. St Oran was Irish but spent much of his life spreading Christianity in Scotland.
Orin could also be a variant of Hebrew name Oren.
The Welsh name Owen, modern form of Owain, is generally considered to derive from Latin Eugenius "well-born". The Irish name Eoghan may also appear anglicized as Owen but has a different origin.
Owen Tudor was the grandfather of English kin
From the Old norse, composed of the elements meaning "Advice; decision; the gods" and "ruler".
Ronald Reagan was President of the United States 1981-9. Ronald McDonald is the clown mascot of restaurant chain McDonald's and Ronald Weasley is
Ross is a region of north Scotland. The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest ice shelf in Antarctica, it was named after Captain James Ross who discovered it in 1841. It was the place where James Scott and his party died, having failed to become the first people
Came originally from Old English to mean Scotsman.
Robert Scott was the leader of the losing team in the 'Race to the Pole', and died on his return. Walter Scott was a novelist.
'Beam me up, Scotty' is a phrase associated wi
The Irish form of John. Famous bearers include actors Sean Connery - the first James Bond, Sean Bean, Sean Astin - Samwise Gamgee in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, Sean "Puffy" or "P. Diddy" Combs and Sean Penn.
Respelling of Sean, an Anglicized variant of Seán.
From the English word, steward, or caretaker of the house.
Troy, as a surname, derives from the French city of Troyes. The ancient Greek island of Troy is, presumably, why Troy has become popular as a first name. The meaning is unknown. The name can also be an anglicisation of the Gaelic Troightheach, which me
The Welsh spelling of Tristan.
From the combination of the Germanic elements "rule" and "army".
Famous Walters include journalist Walter Cronkite, author Walter Scott, explorer and sailor Walter Raleigh. Animator Walt Disney was a Walter.
Respelling of the Gaelic word 'aisling'.
Either an elaboration of Anna, or a past misreading of the name Amabel.
'Annabel Lee' is a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, about a woman who Poe loved, even after her death.
The name is borne by former English tennis player Annabel
According to Irish legend, Aoife was the greast female warrior in the world. This is currently a very popular name in Ireland.
Although the ultimate origin is unsure, it most likely lies in the name Annabel or Anabella. Arabella was likely a misspelling or a spelling change which first made its appearance in the 1600's and caught on. It appeared in both England and Scotland in re
Anglicisation of the Irish name Aisling.
From the Scottish dialect word meaning 'pretty'.
Nickname for names beginning with 'Bri' or the 'Bree' sound such as Bridget or Brianna.
Possibly from the Old Norse word 'brand' meaning 'sword', or a feminine form of Brendan. The name was used first in Scotland, and has since spread to the rest of the world.
Brenda Lee is an American country singer and Brenda Blethyn is an E
Bríd was the name of a Celtic fire goddess. St Brigid or Bridget of Kildare was a 5th century saint, who formed the monastery at Kildare. Many of the qualities associated with Bríd have since become associated with her.
St Bridget or Birgi
Elaboration of Bridget.
Catrina is an anglicised form of Catríona, a Scottish and Irish form of Katherine.
Ciara is an Irish name derived from the Irish Gaelic word "ciar," meaning "dark." It is traditionally pronounced "KEER ah," with a hard K. This name is the original version of the anglicised variants Keira and Kira. In the US, Ciara is frequently prono
Variant spelling of Ciara.
Alternative spelling of Ciara.
Respelling of Deirdre.
Respelling of Deirdre.
Derived from the Hebrew, Edna is found in the apocryphal book Tobit, as the name of the mother of Sarah and stepmother of Tobias.
Edna is also an anglicized form of Irish Eithne.
Jennifer joined the US top 1000 names in 1938. It rose until in 1970 it was the #1 name in USA, it held that place until 1985 and has been in decline ever since. In 2006 it was the 51st most popular name in America.
Famous bearers include
Modern feminine form of Kendrick.
Anglicization of the Gaelic name Maebh (also Méabh, Madhbh, Medb).
Medb was the great warrior queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Her name might be related to mad (child), or to meisce and mean "the cause of great into
As a Japanese name, Mari may be written with the characters for "truth" (ma) and "reason; truth" (ri). Other possibilities include "ten thousand" or "flax" for 'ma' and "hometown; village" (ri).
Mari is a nickname for the Russian name Mariy
Originally a Middle English Anglicized form of the French "Marie," derived from the Latin "Maria," and ultimately from the Hebrew name of uncertain origin "Miryam".
This is the New Testament form of Miriam, which St. Jerome derives from ele
Of Celtic origin, perhaps derived from the Gaelic 'mohr' (great).
It is also used as an Anglicized form of Máire.
Alternatively, Maura is a feminine form of the Latin Maurus (dark-skinned).
Anglicized form of Máirín.
Anglicized form of Máire.
Paisley is a town in Scotland, near to Glasgow. It was famous for its weaving industry in the 19th century - Paisley pattern, which involves a Persian inspired tear-shaped design, comes from the town.
Rhiannon is the goddess of horses in Welsh mythology. Rhiannon is also the title of a Fleetwood Mac song.
Sabrina is linked to the River Severn in England, either through being the Goddess of the Severn, or being a nymph (also known as Hafren) who drowned in Severn, and so gave it her name. It is more likely that the character derived her name from the river,
A name of Devi, the Divine Mother, used in the Tantras.
A derivative of Ansley, a Scottish surname of a habituation nature. Has enjoyed moderate success in the latest trend of choosing surnames as given names. Traditionally a masculine name, it is sometimes used in these modern times for a girl.
Avalon is a legendary place name of uncertain origin.
It is probably derived from afal (apple) and ynys (island), which gave the Welsh male name Afallon.
Aydan is a respelling of Aidan, the standard anglicization of the Gaelic Aodhán. In Turkish it is an unrelated female name.
Cameron is used both as a surname and a given name; the Camerons are a clan from the Scottish Highlands. The name is believed to be from the Gaelic 'cam' (crooked) and 'srón' (nose).
Cameron Crowe is a film director, and Cameron Mackintosh
Casey was first used as an honorary nickname for American folk hero Jonathan 'Casey' Jones. He acquired his nickname from his birthplace, Cayce, in Kentucky. Casey is also a last name, an anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Cathasaigh. This mean
Anglicised form of the Gaelic surname Ó Caiside ('descendant of Caiside'). This surname is currently also used as a first name for both genders. It was the surname of Wild West bank and train robber Butch Cassidy, and American singer Eva Cassidy.
Anglicised form of the Gaelic surname Ó Damháin, which means 'descendant of Damhán'.
Erin is taken from the Gaelic Eirinn, meaning "of Eire" - Eire being the Irish name for Ireland. Erin was used as a poetic name for Ireland for several centuries but it is not normally bestowed as a given name in that country.
It became po
From the place name Kendal in Cumbria, recorded in 1095 as Kircabikendala ‘village with a church in the valley of the Kent river’.
It is also an Anglicized form of the Welsh personal name Cynddelw, which was borne by a famous 12th-century Welsh poe
County Kerry is located in the Munster region of the Republic of Ireland.
The name of the county may mean "country of the children of Ciar", ciar meaning "dark" and probably implying "dark hair and brown eyes".
First seen in a Robert Burn's poem, Lesley is a variant of the name Leslie.
From the Gaelic surname for the lands of Lesslyn in Aberdeenshire, the words "leas cuilinn" meaning garden of hollies.
Leslie was the birth name of the 38th President Gerald R. Ford. President Ford was adopted as a baby.
Lindsay is derived from the Brithonic name "Lindissi," a corruption of the Latin "Lindum Colonia" - the Roman name for Lincoln. "Lindum" may derive from the old Gaeli "lindu," meaning "dark lake." Lindsay is a unisex name today, usually feminine in the
Lindsey is a variant spelling of Lindsay, but can also come from a Middle English phrase meaning "Lelli's island."
London itself is of obscure etymology, but is possibly connected with the Celtic element 'lond' which means 'wild'. The Latinised Roman name for London was Londinium.
From the Old Welsh masculine name Morcant, which is derived from Welsh mor (sea) or mawr (great), and can (bright, white) or cant (circle, completion).
This name is common as a surname in both Wales and Ireland and is becoming increasingly popular
Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ríagáin ("descendent of Riagán").
The meaning is uncertain. It is likely to be related to rí and thus means "like a king", or it may come from ríogach and mean "impulsive".
Ronald Reagan was th
In Shakespeare's 'King Lear', Regan is one of King Lear's daughters, who turns against her father once she has been given her inheritance.
Anglicized form of Ruaidhrí.
As a girl's name, Rory is a pet form of several names including Aurora or Aurelia.
Famous male Rorys include comedians Rory Bremner and Rory McGrath, and actors Rory Cochrane and Rory Culkin. Fam
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland.
Shannon Lucid is an astronaut and Shannon Elizabeth is an actress. Examples of male Shannons include musicians Shannon Hoon and Shannon Leto.
Also an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Treasach ('warlike, fierce')